I bought my first cup of Alex's Lemonade at Children's Hopsital of Philadelphia on June 8, 2007. Lily was upstairs in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, preparing for yet another brain surgery.
That Lemonade tasted so good. I was hooked. I proceeded to purchase about $200 in Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation gear--t-shirts, pins, books, tattoos and bracelets.
Later that day I snuck downstairs and listened to Liz Scott, Alex's mother, speak. She spoke about cancer and Alex and research and well, I was in awe that she could speak of "it," of pediatric cancer.
That Lemonade tasted so good. I was hooked. I proceeded to purchase about $200 in Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation gear--t-shirts, pins, books, tattoos and bracelets.
Later that day I snuck downstairs and listened to Liz Scott, Alex's mother, speak. She spoke about cancer and Alex and research and well, I was in awe that she could speak of "it," of pediatric cancer.
No one talks about pediatric cancer enough. Pediatric cancer research is consistently underfunded as compared to adult cancer research. Yet, it is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the United States. It is the second leading cause death overall, only behind accidents.
Everyday 36 children are diagnosed with cancer. Every year 12,000 children are diagnosed in the United States. And 2,500 of those diagnosed won't survive. All of those diagnosed are changed forever and in for a bumpy, terrifying ride.
Lily is on that ride. We thank God everyday for her remission and beg for it to continue. We know so many survivors and fighters--Cassie, Avi, Calla, Drew--so many sweet children who just need a cure.
This year, Lily (and Chloe) will host the second annual Lemonade Stand for ALSF. Lily's goal is to sell some lemonade and help her friends--those she knows personally and those she knows need her help. She also wants to help her teachers and her doctors. This is the beauty of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation--it is about children helping children. Lily's stand will be on June 12, all-day at our house. This year, we hope to raise $5,000--money that will go to fund pediatric cancer research, support families during treatment and find a cure.
Please come, buy some lemonade (or make your donation online now!) and help Lily's friends. Visit Lily's Lemonade Stand at: http://www.alexslemonade.org/events/lily-adkins-lemonade-stand-0
I'll be there!
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